Persuasive Essay

What is persuasive writing? In persuasive writing, a writer takes a position FOR or AGAINST an issue and writes to convince the reader to believe or do something. In order to convince the reader, you need more than an opinion; you need FACTS or EXAMPLES to support your opinion. DO THE RESEARCH!

Persuasive Essay Topics ① Should your school require uniforms? ② Does watching too much TV have a negative impact on kids? ③ Should homework be eliminated? ④ Should smoking be illegal? ⑤ Should animal testing for scientific research be illegal? ⑥ Do violent video games have a negative impact on kids? ⑦ Should the death penalty be legal? ⑧ Should wearing a helmet be a law for all snowboarders, skateboarders, rollerbladers, and bicycle riders? ⑨ Are professional athletes paid too much money? ⑩ Should all schools be year-round schools?

Requirements For the Persuasive Unit, you will be required to: Write a four-paragraph essay

Persuasive Writing oEach persuasive essay will need to address the argument and the counterargument. oArgument: a reason or set of reasons given to support your opinion oExample: The novel To Kill a Mockingbird should be banned in schools for the numerous violent scenes. oCounterargument: reason or set of reasons given against your opinion oExample: One might think that To Kill a Mockingbird should not be banned because it teaches students an important life lesson. oRebuttal: to provide evidence that refutes the counterargument oExample: However, there are many alternate ways for students to learn this valuable life lesson.

Your Turn….. oChoose a side: Athletic sports should be removed in schools. oARGUMENT: oCOUNTERARGUMENT: oREBUTTAL:

Prewrite - First Due Date Your first due date is TUESDAY, April 12 th You need to come to class with: Your topic chosen Prewrite complete: Two strong arguments FOR your topic (include research if that will emphasize your point) One strong argument OPPOSED to your topic (might need to include research if that helps you to argue against this point)

Writing the Persuasive Essay INTRODUCTION BODY (JUSTIFY YOUR POSITION) BODY (ADDDRESS THE COUNTERARGUMENT) CONCLUSION

Paragraph #1: Introduction HOOK Start with a HOOK to catch the reader’s attention. Possible HOOKS: Unusual Detail: Manitoba, because of its cold climate, is not thought of as a great place to be a reptile. Actually, it has the largest amount of garter snakes in the world! Strong Statement Quotation Anecdote (story) Statistic or Fact Question

Paragraph #1: Introduction (cont’d.) Briefly describe your topic. (**DO NOT give away your argument!!!) Your thesis statement should: Tell the reader the topic of your essay Give your opinion on the topic Give one reason you feel this way

Paragraph #2: Body Paragraph SUPPORT YOUR OPINION Begin with a topic sentence that supports your thesis #1 strongest argument of why you support this topic. Support your position with facts, statistics, or research (CD) 2 commentary sentences that demonstrates thoughtful insight. End with a concluding sentence

Paragraph #3: Body Paragraph COUNTERARGUMENT Begin with a thoughtful topic sentence Discuss the strongest argument AGAINST your opinion Express your opinion about this argument (rebuttal) Concluding sentence

Counterargument Starters oOne might object that.... oIt might seem that.... oAdmittedly.... oOf course.... oHowever, but, yet, nevertheless, still

Counterargument/Rebuttal Example oAthletic sports should NOT be removed from schools. oCOUNTGERARGUMENT: One might object that athletic sports in school results in the students missing too much class time and missing important lessons. However, students actually end up learning the importance of responsibility because they must make an appointment with their teacher in order to make up the missed assignments and receive one-on-one tutoring. Students are required to make up the missing work because they must maintain a certain grade point average in order to participate in school athletics.

Paragraph #4: Conclusion Reconnect to your hook Restate thesis statement using new vocabulary Summary of body paragraph #1 Suggest how the problem/issue could be solved. Ask for the reader’s support.